‘Odd Christian Eiking seems to be a top candidate at Visma | for now Lease a Bike’

Friday January 5, 2024 at 12:11

Podcast Visma | Lease a Bike suffered another setback a day before the team was officially named that on January 1, 2024. Lennard Hofstede (29) decided to hand in his contract at the end of December and quit immediately, meaning the Dutch team is still looking for a possible successor at this stage of the year. In the WielerFlits Podcast we list the options.

The striking viewer had during the team presentation of Visma | Lease a Bike already noted on December 21 that Hofstede was not there. A number of sick riders were absent and it was assumed that the South Hollander was also among them. He still had a contract with the Dutch WorldTeam until the end of 2024.

Hofstede was supposed to make his season debut in the Tour Down Under, but he has now been replaced by newcomer Bart Lemmen. The South Hollander is still registered on the UCI website on January 5, which was updated after the transfer of Cian Uijtdebroeks (December 21). The news is that fresh. And so also the search.

Passing on talent is illogical
But that is difficult at the beginning of January. Yet it is happening, seeping through insiders. Logical too, because Visma | Lease a Bike only has a minimum number of 27 riders under contract. This also includes Michel Heßmann, who has been suspended pending a doping investigation. Given Hofstede’s specific position – a pure servant – it is not up to Merijn Zeemans to pass on a talent from the training team now.

Hofstede’s role does not directly fit in with the development of his own talents, of which Menno Huising (19), Jørgen Nordhagen (18) and Tijmen Graat (20) have already transferred to Visma’s WorldTeam as of January 1, 2025 | Lease a Bike.

It therefore appears that Richard Plugge and co will attract a new rider from outside their own structure, if that happens. “Buying out a contract from another WorldTeam or ProTeam rider seems very difficult at this stage of the season,” Maxim points out, because everyone is now in full preparation for the new road season.

“As a result, they mainly have to look at riders who unexpectedly do not yet have a contract for 2024 or at Continental riders. That switch is always allowed,” says Youri. “But in both cases the options are scarce. I know tests were done last week, so I expect something will happen.”

Eiking’s price tag
“Devastated, they are looking for a rider who can stay at the head of the peloton, a no-nonsense driver who just works hard,” Youri continues. “In the Dutch Continental circuit I only see a few riders who can do that, one of whom was tested last week and the other three have not taken a test as far as I know. But the list of riders who do not yet have a contract for 2024 is also scarce.”

Maxim takes out Odd Christian Eiking. “The perfect fit,” says Youri. “Eiking is from Norway, just like main sponsor Visma. He has approximately the same profile as Hofstede, a very strong rider. In terms of quality, the Norwegian may even be better.”

Eiking still has nothing for 2024, but what does the 29-year-old Norwegian settle for? “He lasts longer uphill than Hofstede and also has the punch to achieve results himself,” Youri explains. “He had a top year in 2021, with more than a week and a half in the red jersey in the Vuelta a España and an eleventh place in the final classification. He also consistently finishes between places eight and twenty in other small laps. After 2021, he was able to sign a nice contract with EF Education First-EasyPost as a reward. For this position within Visma | He will probably have to mention Lease a Bike with less satisfaction. Does such a rider want that? On the other hand: what else this year?”

Or a Czech?
The names of Lukas Pöstlberger, Lawrence Naesen, Alexandre Balmer and Asbjørn Hellemose, for example, also pass for Hofstede’s role. According to our information, they all have nothing for 2024 yet. Youri wants to add one more rider at Continental level.

“Then I am talking about Jakob Otruba, a 25-year-old Czech. A machine, a boy with a very big engine. Perhaps the best Continental rider. I find it amazing that he doesn’t have a professional contract. If you test this pacer, I suspect it will yield a very good result. His results in recent years have also been very strong. I would also call it a typical Visma | Find Lease a Bike transfer.”

Listen to the WielerFlits Podcast from minute 47:47 about Hofstede and Visma | Lease a Bike

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